i came with 1100 us, that was more than enough, but knew some fellas and they put me up till i had a job with accommodation sussed. if you dont know anybody that can help you out in terms of accomodation then i would think at least 11-1200 us.

You will need a minimum of 1 million dollars US in various currencies to get things started.
It is also recommended by the AWDA (Anda World of Doom Agency) that you bring the following:
1- A nuclear shelter
2- A full bio-chem suit
3- Supplies to last out the inevitable nuclear winter

Others also recommend you bring parts of your very own country with you..a simple city block should fo the trick you just level a part of seoul (call the AWDA they will gladly help) and super-impose your own city block over the rubble..do not allow any koreans into this perimeter as this would shatter the home away from home reality you will have created.
Then dig a tunnel from your house to your school so you encounter no koreans to and from work.
Thats about it.

Oh and in all seriousness...the 1000 US figure is just about right if you have a job in hand and your school is putting you up in an appartment...good luck!

We are talking about "How much money to bring If I am getting a job after I land in Korea?" - Correct? I have been working on figuring out the same thing. Here is what I have found so far, this info is all compiled from posts off Dave's or other websites. I can take credit for none of it. Basically, your largest expenses will be housing and food. So, based on the information below, and other costs associated with travel and entertainment, I will be budgeting:

Housing: 300 to 400$ (month 1 - assuming you are employed and have housing after the first month)
Food: 600$ (month 1 and 2)
Entertainment and Transportation: 250$ (month 1 and 2)
Other: 200$

So, I am planning on bringing most of this in travel checks and the rest will go on credit cards.

Thanks BriGuy, that's helpful to know. I've read all those threads but it's good to have them summarised since I usually suffer from information overload syndrome and keep meaning to work it out some other time.

I tend to obsesively research the "things" that I get into and plans that I have (that is where the list of links came from). So, I am compiling my own little "cheat sheet for Korea." Basically, its a combination of posts from Daves, books, teacher websites etc. Each section will have a summary, a list of "things to remember" and some pertinant posts along with the links. I am hoping it will help out other newbies as well and I should be able to add onto it in the future.

I just did it. I spent about 600,000 won in a week. Burned a lot more than needed on food, taxis, and hanging out with friends in Itaewon. I'm not including the 1.3 million I dropped on a scooter. I found a semi-decent job (I hope) and a place to stay. Realtor fees are 200,000 won, by the way.

You can find a job in a day here... don't. Take some time (unless you get lucky right away).